Hungary has several long-established firms making sturdy and stylish shoes – including the hip sneaker-producing Tisza brand, or the upscale Vass shop offering bespoke footwear for formal occasions – while top Magyar designers create trendsetting contemporary shoes, such as Réka Vágó. However, anyone can take part in this customary craftsmanship here in Budapest by joining one of the weekend-long English-language courses offered by Hands On Duty, a unique workshop in the city center that encourages everyone to become a cobbler. Here students learn the basics of this ancient profession with modern flair, creating their own distinct pair of shoes to walk home in, which surely won’t be found on anyone else’s feet.
The classes are led by Russian-born Anna Zaboeva, a young fashion maven who moved to Budapest a decade ago to unleash her creative powers in this city renowned for modern design; Anna started designing shoes soon after arriving here and noticing that a lot of footwear is made with substandard quality and high price tags. After attending a leather-working course at Budapest’s Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), Anna embarked on an adventure of self-education to learn the ins and outs of shoe designingand manufacturing by carefully experimenting with each step of their production. After gaining adequate experience and launching her own Pleasemachine label, Anna – who also plays in a band, alongside being active in the local film industry – decided to fill a niche in the Hungarian market by offering English-language crash courses and intermediateworkshops on shoemaking, which soon attracted many enthusiastic students.
Through May, anyone with creative instincts can join several weekend training sessions for beginners, where participants learn the basic steps of shoemaking – from preliminary design to using the necessary tools to the actual cobbling process – while during the summer season ahead, upcoming workshops cover each phase of making gladiator sandals, a popular style for women during the warm months. In addition to providing a foundation into the world of making footwear, the courses are designed to spark ideas and boost creativity amid a happy environment. Workshops span a Saturday and Sunday in two ten-hour sessions for each day, and to conclude every class Anna takes her students for a peaceful stroll along the Danube, or to one of Budapest’s thermal baths to plunge into muscle-melting pleasure after the lengthy hours inside the studio. Courses are open to Budapest residents and visitors alike, and Anna is happy to help arrange accommodations if necessary.
The next beginner’s course is scheduled for May 7-8, with the following one happening on May 14-15. The class costs 144 euros per person, and it includes the tutorial, use of the necessary tools, all of the required materials, and the pair of snazzy sandals created during the weekend. To register for the course, contact Anna Zaboeva through the Hands On Dutywebsite.
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